By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Hon. Aden Duale, welcomed a delegation from the World Bank, headed by Country Director Mr. Qimiao Fan, to engage in discussions regarding significant climate initiatives, notably the $200 million Kenya Watersheds Services Improvement Programme (KEWASIP).
Emphasizing its foundation in the national landscape restoration strategy, CS Duale highlighted that this five-year program is designed to restore 300,000 hectares across twelve counties, thereby generating employment opportunities in alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“We also reviewed the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) plan, implemented in all 47 counties to support Kenya’s 15bn Tree Growing initiative, enhance livelihoods and strengthen climate resilience,” CS Aden Duale said on X.
“Further, we explored expanding climate finance, particularly through Kenya’s growing carbon markets,” Mr. Duale added.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry also appreciated the World Bank’s ongoing support and sought technical collaboration to enhance community capacity-building.
The Ministry of Environment emphasized that it is recalibrating partner-supported programmes to ensure they are fully aligned with Kenya’s climate action priorities including landscapes and ecosystem restoration through the 15bn national tree growing initiative.
During the engagement, the CS was joined by Secretaries of Administration Mr. John Elungata (Environment and Climate Change) and Mr. Evans Mutari (Forestry).